GM targets 2009 Launch of New Hummer

[h2co-pilot]

GM targets 2009 Launch of New Hummer



http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...08/028105.html

DETROIT, Nov 8, 2006; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. will likely launch a new Hummer truck in 2009, the head of the niche brand told Reuters on Wednesday.

"The new product will have unparalleled off-road capabilities," Hummer General Manager Martin Walsh said. "Like our current Hummers it would be recognizable from a distance."

The brand currently has two models: the H2 and H3. It stopped production of the H1 in June.
Earlier this year, GM's activist investor Kirk Kerkorian urged the automaker to consider spinning off Hummer, which began as a high-mobility vehicle for the U.S. military.
But GM executives have argued Hummer is key to its strategy as it tries to recover from a $10.6 billion 2005 loss, reverse a market share slide and return to profit in the U.S. market.
Global Hummer sales rose 54 percent in the first nine months of 2006, when overall GM sales fell 2.5 percent.
Walsh said the brand is "very successful" because 60 percent of Hummer buyers have never owned a GM vehicle before. "We bring them in from other brands, and then they stick within the GM family when picking their next vehicle," he said.
Hummer typically targets affluent people in their 40s. The median age for an H3 buyer is 44, and 43 for an H2 owner. The average household income for H3 owners is nearly $128,000 while the average H2 buyer's household earns close to $170,000. GM product chief Bob Lutz said earlier this year Hummer needs to add two or three more models.
OVERSEAS GROWTH
Hummer last month started producing H3s at a plant in South Africa, which will serve all markets outside North America.
Walsh said Hummer plans to launch the H3 in Australia and South Africa next year, and expects solid growth in Western European markets such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain over the next year.
Even as GM's sales of sport utility vehicles were hurt amid high gas prices earlier this year, Hummer sales remained strong through those months.
And despite the possibility of another rise in gas prices, Walsh said he does not see an immediate future for a hybrid version of any Hummer product.
"We don't really see hybrid technology as an ideal platform for Hummer because it does not allow the vehicle to demonstrate true off-road capabilities," Walsh said.
Yet he did say making flex-fuel capable Hummers, so they can run on gasoline or ethanol and gasoline blends, is part of the brand's future plans.

http://www.ameinfo.com/101296.html

General Motors Corp will likely launch a new Hummer in 2009, the head of the brand told Reuters. Hummer has two models in production - the H2 and H3 - while the H1 is no longer made. H3s are now being turned out at a plant in South Africa, which will serve all markets outside North America.

[H2bill]

All good news. I was worried that now that I finally bought an '06, they were going to come out with a new H2 version next year.

[frenzy1]

[f5fstop]

"DETROIT, Nov 8, 2006; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. will likely launch a new Hummer truck in 2009, the head of the niche brand told Reuters on Wednesday.

Change it to Unlikely, and I will likely believe it.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by PhilD

So this means we can expect more than just solid axles all around, front and rear lockers, electronic sway bar disconnects, etc. Should be very cool

No, not necessarily.

It could go the other direction and mean it couldn't crawl over a pebble and have uber-chrome, 1 wheel drive with an open diff

Unparralleled could equal the other end of the spectrum.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by PhilD

Yup I thought that too But figured that is not what they meant, although I doubt they really actually know what they mean anyway. Just more talking the talk and sound bites.

sad, ain't it.

[CO Hummer]

GM has already contacted me about producing the rock rails for the '09 hummers. Not sure if I'm interested.

[Boar-Ral]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

No, not necessarily.

It could go the other direction and mean it couldn't crawl over a pebble and have uber-chrome, 1 wheel drive with an open diff

Unparralleled could equal the other end of the spectrum.

DAMN! That was what I was going to say in response to unparalleled off-roading capability. I was going to suggest it just doesn't have wheels. That would make it pretty unparalleled. I'll be faster next time.

[f5fstop]

Let's see; 2008 updated powertrain/interior/front end; that is for sure. Now, knowing GM, does everyone still think 2009 will have a complete new body, with yet, another updated powertrain?
Can we say maybe later, that is, unless all my tracking sheets aren't worth a damn.

[Alan06SUT]

Arent they talking about the H3 truck?

[Goalkeeper]

It worked on me...

The H2 was the 1st New American vehicle I ever purchsed...and have since purchased GM & American # 2 = 06 Caddy SRX!!

I have an '03 and can't wait for the next update!! Although life is already flying by so hopefully '09 won't be here too soon!!

-Matt

Originally Posted by Alan06SUT

Arent they talking about the H3 truck?

What about the H2 truck? Isn't that supposed to be on its way as well?

[Alan06SUT]

Originally Posted by mstams

What about the H2 truck? Isn't that supposed to be on its way as well?

I hope! With that new Duramax that will be in the 08's. Its got like 600ft/lbs of TQ.

[Alan06SUT]

Originally Posted by PhilD

I personally don't think we'll see a H3T, but a H3SUT is much more likely. Either way, I don't see how you'd get "unparalleled off-road capabilities" from either.

I meant that extended cab ish one in the spy photos. Isnt this article about that and not an H2 truck?

[h2co-pilot]

Yep, It's the truck. They had it lumped into those McDonalds toys too.

This came out last night:

Earlier this year, GM product chief Bob Lutz said that HUMMER needs to add two or three more models. The 2009 model is expected to be one of those new offerings. At this time, we aren’t sure if “new HUMMER truck” means a traditional pickup (HUMMER H3T Concept shown) or another traditional body-on-frame SUV. Lutz said a HUMMER pickup truck is one of the projects being considered, reports Trend.
Walsh also said that the brand does not see an immediate future for a hybrid version of any HUMMER product, despite the possibility of another rise in gasoline prices. However, he did say that flex-fuel vehicles are part of the plan.

http://www.trend.az/?mod=shownews&news=31532&lang=en

[h2co-pilot]

But here's another thought and article:

A pickup truck was one option for the brand, Lutz said at the time. GM executives have said previously that a smaller vehicle, similar in size to a Jeep Wrangler, is also being considered for the brand.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/09/auto...ion=2006110912

[f5fstop]

2009 = H3T Hummerguy has a photo of it on his website. It will NOT have diesel in the US/Canada.